Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09YEREVAN125
2009-02-20 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
GOAM OFFERS FORCE MAJEURE LANDING RIGHTS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO8057 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHYE #0125 0511423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201423Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8694 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//J2/J5/HSE// PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ3-E/CCJ5-E// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000125
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR AF AM
SUBJECT: GOAM OFFERS FORCE MAJEURE LANDING RIGHTS FOR
AFGHANISTAN FLIGHTS; READY TO DISCUSS OTHER PROPOSALS
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000125
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR AF AM
SUBJECT: GOAM OFFERS FORCE MAJEURE LANDING RIGHTS FOR
AFGHANISTAN FLIGHTS; READY TO DISCUSS OTHER PROPOSALS
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) On February 20, Defense Minister Ohanian met with
Ambassador and Defense Attache. Noting the Kyrgyz
parliamentary decision to terminate access to Manas AIR FORCE
Base and that the U.S. was likely looking for alternative
routes to Afghanistan, Ohanian said Armenia would like to
offer assistance. He stated that, in case of FORCE majeure,
Armenia was prepared to provide emergency access for troops
and cargo shipments, as well as emergency medical support in
Armenia. Ohanian commented that Armenia,s geographical
position did not allow Armenia to fully replace the line of
communication to Afghanistan, but Armenia was nevertheless
prepared to contribute to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.
2. (C) Ohanian said that the country,s senior leadership had
approved this proposal, and that the GOAM was prepared to
discuss the offer if it was helpful to the USG. Following
the meeting, Defense Policy Director, Colonel Tonoyan,
further clarified that the GOAM would be prepared to also
discuss any other USG proposals for how Armenia could be
helpful with regard to Afghanistan and that the President
himself had approved the proposal that Ohanian outlined. It
is likely that Ambassador Markarian will be instructed to
provide the same offer in Washington.
3. (C) COMMENT: We do not know whether this offer is useful
to the U.S. military. We also don,t know whether there are
other services that Armenia could provide with respect to
Afghanistan, but we got a very clear signal that Armenia is
open to discussing any other proposals the USG might have.
This is a big step for cautious Armenia, a Russian ally.
We,re not sure what the behind-the-scenes maneuvering were
to get to this proposal, but Armenia,s closeness to Russia
may give the GOAM some latitude in its dealings with the U.S.
Ohanian said the GOAM, which is working with both Germany
and the Kansas State National Guard on possible troop
deployments to Afghanistan, wants to do its part provide for
stability in Afghanistan. It is also evident that Armenia is
trying to significantly bump up the mil-to-mil relationship
with the United States.
YOVANOVITCH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2019
TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR AF AM
SUBJECT: GOAM OFFERS FORCE MAJEURE LANDING RIGHTS FOR
AFGHANISTAN FLIGHTS; READY TO DISCUSS OTHER PROPOSALS
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) On February 20, Defense Minister Ohanian met with
Ambassador and Defense Attache. Noting the Kyrgyz
parliamentary decision to terminate access to Manas AIR FORCE
Base and that the U.S. was likely looking for alternative
routes to Afghanistan, Ohanian said Armenia would like to
offer assistance. He stated that, in case of FORCE majeure,
Armenia was prepared to provide emergency access for troops
and cargo shipments, as well as emergency medical support in
Armenia. Ohanian commented that Armenia,s geographical
position did not allow Armenia to fully replace the line of
communication to Afghanistan, but Armenia was nevertheless
prepared to contribute to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.
2. (C) Ohanian said that the country,s senior leadership had
approved this proposal, and that the GOAM was prepared to
discuss the offer if it was helpful to the USG. Following
the meeting, Defense Policy Director, Colonel Tonoyan,
further clarified that the GOAM would be prepared to also
discuss any other USG proposals for how Armenia could be
helpful with regard to Afghanistan and that the President
himself had approved the proposal that Ohanian outlined. It
is likely that Ambassador Markarian will be instructed to
provide the same offer in Washington.
3. (C) COMMENT: We do not know whether this offer is useful
to the U.S. military. We also don,t know whether there are
other services that Armenia could provide with respect to
Afghanistan, but we got a very clear signal that Armenia is
open to discussing any other proposals the USG might have.
This is a big step for cautious Armenia, a Russian ally.
We,re not sure what the behind-the-scenes maneuvering were
to get to this proposal, but Armenia,s closeness to Russia
may give the GOAM some latitude in its dealings with the U.S.
Ohanian said the GOAM, which is working with both Germany
and the Kansas State National Guard on possible troop
deployments to Afghanistan, wants to do its part provide for
stability in Afghanistan. It is also evident that Armenia is
trying to significantly bump up the mil-to-mil relationship
with the United States.
YOVANOVITCH